The Colorado Buffaloes took a major hit in Week 3 when they lost two-way star Travis Hunter for several weeks with a lacerated liver. Then, they were knocked down to Earth a bit when Oregon handed Deion Sanders his first Colorado loss in a 42-6 beatdown.
As hard as that game was for every Colorado fan to watch, it had to be far tougher for Hunter to miss that game. And with another tough game against USC coming up on Saturday, it’s clear that Hunter is desperate to get back on the field.
He went as far as to make a demand to return early from his injury, but that’s where Coach Prime’s leadership came in. Someone had to be there to look out for Hunter’s best interest, and thankfully, it was Sanders.
“I need to play this week… I’m not taking no for an answer.”
– Travis Hunter to Coach Prime
(Via @DeionSandersJr/@WellOffForever) pic.twitter.com/5sAbWaFFPk
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) September 25, 2023
In a meeting with his players, Sanders read a text message from Hunter that said, “I need to play this week. We need to get everything we can so I can get back on the field. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Now, it would have been easy for a coach to see that message, go along with the demand and praise the toughness on display. But Sanders did the right thing here and flat-out said no to Hunter. He responded, “No, you ain’t ready. And I care about you more than I care about this game. You’re going to change the game of football one day when you’re healthy and ready.”
If there was any question about Sanders caring about his players’ well being, he answered it right there by reading that exchange to his team. Hunter’s future is much bigger than a game against USC, and it was crucial for Sanders to be the one to tell him that.
Fans also loved that message. It’s what leadership is supposed to look like.
This was how Twitter reacted
Listen, it’s bigger then football! https://t.co/ydGkhZKWET
— D’Angelo Dunbar (@CoachDunbar2) September 25, 2023
Travis acting like the dawg he is
Coach Prime acting like the sensible, father and leader that he is
You can never get enough https://t.co/0tzYKI1w6s
— Prince 🐘 (@PrinceJumbo) September 25, 2023
Tell me @DeionSanders doesn’t care more about his players than a “W” https://t.co/OfyeuvzCiq
— Brian Willie (@bwillie) September 25, 2023
Other coaches would have let him play because it’s not about the players… https://t.co/WRRjmJpZP0
— XIII (@thirt33n64) September 25, 2023
Travis is a dog but his health is more important. https://t.co/Vspnx3wbuk
— SkoBuffs (@CUBuffsFamily) September 25, 2023
Damn this gave me chills… This just shows how much of a good man, coach, father figure coach prime is. And just how much of a dog Travis is. He wants smoke wit USC hurt n all https://t.co/d35kJWgz4G
— D.O (@D_Oswag) September 25, 2023
Coach really do care and he said something very valuable here;
“I care more about y’all than I do about this game.”He wants to see his players be more than just players. Yeah last week was bad.. but it’s something to use to grow and be better. https://t.co/oMNAR2HUA8
— Wesside Izzy P. 🇵🇷 (@IzzyPhantasmo) September 25, 2023
Love the student-athlete, don't use the student-athlete! #CoachPrime #prepareforlife https://t.co/9leo3iK6is
— Roderick Richmond♎ (@rodrichmond1) September 25, 2023
Love the relationship between these two https://t.co/DMC44VCGNg
— Dawn Calipari (@dawncalipari) September 25, 2023
